Between the 24th and 26th October 2018, bishops of the European Union gathered in Brussels for the Autumn Assembly focusing on the 2019 European elections. Participants reflected on future EU challenges in dialogue with high-level officials of the Union, in particular with Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Luca Jahier (EESC) and Michel Barnier (European Commission).

The three-days Assembly started with a day of prayer in Ypres, one of the cruelest war theatres of WWI, and continued with intense and fruitful discussions on EU main challenges. Bishops reaffirmed the support of the Catholic Church for the peace project built thru the European Union and called political leaders to look to the future with responsibility, with no fear nor egoism, as well to promote youth, family and community-friendly policies.

The bishops concluded the Assembly by calling Christians and all people of good will to discernment and responsibility and to fully participate in political life, working together for the common good, building bridges of dialogue and promoting an inclusive Europe capable of fully developing persons, families and communities.